Merritt High School, September 2015

September Construction Update

by Tristan Dornon

I’m sure everyone has been wondering about the progress of the construction on the school. I sat down with Mr. Daugherty recently and interviewed him about the progress of the construction.

So far the construction of the new building has only passed phase one. Phase one was the process of demolishing the old high school, pulling out some of the old wiring, and leveling the land for the new building. After phase one the administration and workers went back and discussed some new engineering ideas.

Starting the week of August 23rd, opening bids were opened on the building and awarding of those bids occurred the week of September 6th. Soon after the week of awarding bids, construction of the new building should begin. We will try to keep the public updated on the progress.

BIG RIGCadlyn Smith

by Sally Schoenhals

Cadlyn Smith, Merritt High School student, was crowned Oklahoma High School Rodeo Queen this past summer. On September 3rd and 4th she talked to the pre-school through 4th grade classes about three important things. She talked to the kids about how they need to help themselves, about their education, and about their responsibilities. Cadlyn told me that as a queen she has taken up many new responsibilities. Queens take tests that make sure they’re doing their job right. Her job is to educate the public about the rodeo and its importance. Cadlyn is doing an excellent job as queen and as being a role model in our school .

Bryce Howell by Bobii Schreck

Bryce Howell likes coming to Merritt High School. He is 17 years old, and his birthday is May 31. He likes his teachers, but he doesn't know what his favorite subject is. He doesn’t think we can make our new kids feel any more welcome. Bryce says that he is making new friends and that people here are pretty nice. He plays baseball, and in his free time he mostly hunts and fishes. His number one pet peeve is that everything has to be clean.

Bryce Cobb

by Sally Schoenhals

Starting a new year in a school you’ve never been to can be scary and nerve racking, especially in high school. However, starting the second week of school, Bryce was asked if he felt welcome and he replied that he felt very welcome and has made a lot of new friends so far. This year he is a junior and will be participating in basketball and baseball. He moved from Wanette, Oklahoma, where his classes were really small. Three years from now he hopes to be in college. He hasn't decided where to go or what to study yet, but he knows he wants a good education. He said that so far this year he has really enjoyed Coach Donnie Husband’s teaching in class and on the court.

Carter Hasty

by Caitlynn Rodriguez

Karter Hasty transferred to Merritt to be with her father and stepmother. When asked how Merritt School differs from her previous school, she said that Merritt is much nicer and a lot bigger. She determines success by reaching goals and when pressure comes her way, she ignores it and carries on. She has two brothers and she wants to be a neonatal nurse. She likes the color blue and pandas.

Corbin Price

by Sierra Maddox

Corbin Price is one of our many new students. He is fifteen, and it is his sophomore year. He moved here with his parents and his brother, Davin Price, who is an 8th grader from Burns Flat.

Jason Manzella

by Valora Thomas

Jason Mancella is a freshman at Merritt School. Before he came to Merritt he attended school in Texas. His favorite subject is algebra and his hobby is reading. He enjoys the teachers and people around him. He likes the color blue and is a Batman fan.

Davin Price

By Jacky Olivas

Davin Price is a new 8th grader.He previously went to Burns Flat - Dill City JH. He participates in basketball and baseball. Davin’s favorite hobbies are playing basketball and working with cattle. What he likes about Merritt is the sports and the kids.

Cami Costello

by Jada Galley

Cami Costello is a new student at Merritt this year. She is a sophomore and sixteen years old. She came to Merritt from Elk City School because she wanted to attend a smaller school. She said that she likes Merritt much better than Elk City and not having to wear uniforms is a plus. When she arrived, she already knew a lot of people here. She is not currently in any activities or clubs, but she would like to cheer, which is her biggest passion. However, she isn't cheering this year because she decided it was time to take a break from it.

Mikala Kirkpatrick

by Kurtis Pittman

Mikala went to Sedan, Kansas before she came to Merritt School.She Is fourteen years old and she is in the ninth grade. Mikala has a brother, Montie, in the second grade.

Photo credits to Judith Bollinger, Peighton Timms, Curtis Pittman, Bobii Schreck, Sally Schoenhals, Jaquelin Olivias, Caitlynn Rodriguez, Dakayta Boyd, Pam Criswell, Valora Thomas, Kim Brady, and Tammy Garrett

Jace Silk by Daniel Hernandez

Jace Silk is a new 10th grade student. He’s from Sayre, OK and also went to school in Sayre. He participates in football, golf, and FCCLA. His favorite part of Merritt is all of the new people he’s met.

Esai Lara by Dakayta Boyd

Esai Lara recently moved to Merritt

School from Kermit, Texas. He enjoys playing basketball and football and his favorite food is pizza. He noted that his first day at Merritt was peaceful and everyone was nice; however, the football coaches were a bit rough. His favorite subject is math, and his least favorite is English.

Mrs. Broadbent's 1st grade class

By: Peighton Timms We are off and running in our classroom. We are learning many new ways to use and incorporate technology in our classroom. An app that is new to Mrs. Broadbent and the class is Seesaw! It is definitely a favorite for all of us (teachers, students, and parents). It is an electronic journal that the teacher or the students can add stuff to that is accessible to the parents at any time. Our class has added pictures, recordings of the children reading, screenshots of work done on other apps, pictures of work completed by the kids, pictures of learning centers that students completed and even an iMovie made of the class. It is all super easy to work and the kids love showing their work to their parents throughout the day. The parents can even comment on added stuff and the encouraging and praising words from their parents is motivational and comforting to the students. This app is definitely a keeper in Mrs. Broadbent’s classroom!!

Mrs. Burson’s 3rd Grade Class by Peighton Timms

Mrs. Burson’s third grade class is off to a busy start this year! Since they have big state tests in the spring, they are working very hard on math and reading formatives. When working on other subjects like spelling and phonics, you might think they would be too busy for fun. That isn't the case though! The students really enjoy taking quizzes on Kahoot (because it feels like playing games) and doing science experiments on Friday afternoons. Lab time has found them turning raw eggs into rubber, making a hypothesis on how to “save” a gummy worm, looking for germs on bread, and watching water “walk” and change color. It’s a great time to be a third grade Merritt Oiler.

Student Council by Dakota Boyd

The Student Council’s first meeting was August 19th and this year’s officers were elected.

President: Madison RutherfordVice President: Courtney ReyesSecretary: Shayla Morris

The Student Council is responsible for planning the homecoming week activities. The biggest part of the meeting was spent planning this.

Starting September 28th through November 13th they will be putting on a food drive. Everyone plan on bringing food items for the needy.

FCA by Dakayta Boyd

The Merritt Fellowship of Christian Athletes meets every Friday, at 7:50.

Everyone is welcome at FCA. The title is ki misleading, but you do not have to be an athlete to be a member.

See You at the Pole is September 23 at 7:30 A.M. See You at the Pole is where students meet at the flag pole in front of the school and pray for the school, students, and staff.

Any student 7-12 grade is welcome as well as staff and faculty.

FCCLA by Dakayta Boyd

The Merritt FCCLA is really booming this year! There have been approximately 50 members sign up this year.

The Merritt FCCLA will be going to Weatherford to the corn maze in October.

October 23rd they will be going to Altus to the Southwest District Rally

Officers

President: Courtney Reyes

Vice President: Gabby Carter

Secretary: Emily Miler

Treasurer: Niki Martin

Photographer: Tori Page

Public Relations: Brittany Garcia

FFAby Dakayta Boyd

The Freshmen are working on the FFA creed. The first one to memorize the whole creed gets a free FFA jacket.

The Sophomores are working on the Opening and Closing ceremonies.

The Juniors and Seniors are painting old lockers in the Ag shop.

Meat sales have completed and the top sales are being tallied.

2015-2016 Officers

Presidents: Logan ThetfordVice President: Oran MillerSecretary: Karli Droke Treasurer: Sydni SandersSentinel: Timothy JonesChapman: Brooklyn ParkerReporter: Brooklyn Parker

High School Officers by Sally Schoenhals

SophomoresPresident: Hunter NewtonVice President: Cooper TaylorSecretary: Noah LigonTreasure: Mikiah CarnesStudent Council: Sam Williams & Shayla MorrisClass Dues: $100Class Parents: Michelle & Mike Carnes and Angie & Shawn FiteSponsors: Bobbi Yarbrough, Donnie Husband, and Cary Ray.

Juniors President: Ashlee CarrVice President: Madison RutherfordSecretary: Emily MillerStudent Council: Gabby Carter and Sydi Sanders Class Dues: $40Class Parents: Tammy and Donnie Garrett and Jamie and Nick FiteClass Sponsors: Judith Bollinger, Galen McCune, Sarah Peffer, Jeff Fletcher, Tanner Wear.

SeniorsPresident: Levi FinleyVice President: Karli Droke Secretary & Treasurer: Logan ThetfordStudent Council: Cortney Reyes & Makayla DotyClass Dues: $20Class Parents: Tobie & Jackie Carnes and Donnie & Tammy GarrettSponsors: Cassie Brown,Frank Barnard, DeAnne Foshee, and Michelle Mooney.

“ Mrs.Foshee is excited to start the year with some awesome seniors.”

JH Class Officers by Sally Schoenhals

7th Grade Class Officers

Class President- Rylan Givens Vice President- Gorbyn DavisSecretary/Treasurer- Blakely BarnettStudent Council- Jordyn Garrett

Parker Hust Class Due’s- $25.00Class Parents- John and Monica Beecham

Rob and Stephanie CarnesClass Sponsors- Mr. Richardson

Mrs. Hancock Mrs. Rutherford

8th Grade Class Officers

President- Avery SimonVice President- Allison JustusSecretary/Treasurer- Tyson RoseStudent Council- Miranda Brady

Riley OwenClass Due’s- $30.00Class Parents- Mr. and Mrs. Criswell

Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Rose Mr. and Mrs. Billy Jones

Class Sponsors- Mrs.BradyMrs. CusterMr. Givens

9th Grade Class Officers

President- Ben MillsVice President- Brooke PuckettSecretary/Treasurer- Kenzie MongStudent Council- Dalen Smith

Devyn PollardClass Due’s- $75.00Class Parents- Jamie and Shay Mong

Duane and Julie MillClass Sponsors- Mrs. Roper

Mrs. RichardsonMrs. Owens

Merritt Football 2015

by Daniel Hernandez

The Merritt High School football team had their first scrimmage on August 21 against Mountain View, Tipton, and Shattuck at home. Their one-on- one scrimmage was at Mountain View on August 28. They had their first home game on September 4 against Corn Bible Academy. The HS win-loss record is 2-2.

The 5th and 6 Grade football had their first game on September 8 at home against Mountain View, followed by the Junior High game also with Mountain View. They won 21-14.

The JH team has won 1 and lost 1. The game against Mangum was cancelled.

We are looking forward to an exciting season of Oiler football!

Merritt Golf by Kurtis Pittman

This year we are bringing back a sport that hasn’t been at Merritt since the early nineties. Mr. Daugherty is the coach of the new golf team. He wanted to start a golf team because many students had voiced an interest in the sport. It is also a relatively inexpensive sport. To be on the golf team you have to have expertise in golf and have your own clubs. There will be tryouts later in the year.

Merritt High School Softball

by Bobii Schreck

Merritt’s high school softball team is ranked 20th in the state of Oklahoma. We are 14-4 winning. Coach Owen says that. “ We are getting better and better everyday.” He also says that. “We have a good hard-working group of girls.” Logan Thetford says “ This is one of the best teams we've had in a while.” Our last high school game of the season is September 22nd against Leedey at Leedey.

High School Academic

Team by Sally Schoenhals

Going into the new 2015-2016 school year, Mrs. Brady, the high school academic team coach, says she expects our academic team to be really competitive and that they have a good chance of success this year. We have Alyssa Donaldson, Ben Mills, and Dalen Smith playing up this year as freshman. They will help out our older teammates: senior, Karli Droke , juniors, Tristan Dornon and Tanner Mong, and sophomores, Jada Galley and Shayla Morris.

Junior High Academic Team

2015-2016 by Caitlynn Rodriquez

The Junior High Academic Team has some new faces this year. Mrs. Bryant is the coach. The team this year is Austin Pruitt (7th), Jocelyn Sanders (7th), Amber Williams (7th), Jocelyn Thomas (8th), Brianna Spaidy (8th), Jason Manzella (9th), Cole Carnes (9th) and Alyssa Donaldson. The first two meets are at Thomas on September 23 and October 21. The following meet is at Leedey on November 18.

Dinner Show Merritt School Music Dept. will be having a dinner show October 11 at 1:00 o’clock in the cafeteria. Come support the Music Dept. and eat some delicious home cooked food.

New Staff

Mrs. Smith by Jaquelin Olivas

Mrs. Smith originally lived in Hammon but moved to Weatherford and now has a job here! She is our new 2nd grade teacher! Before she came to Merritt, she taught 5th grade at Weatherford and Pre-K at Thomas. Mrs. Smith’s hobbies are baking, singing, and reading. Her favorite color is green.

Mrs. Sullivan by Sierra Maddox

Mrs. Sullivan is our new 5th and 6th grade ELA teacher. Before she came to Merritt, she taught Pre-k and 2nd grade computer in Louisiana. Her favorite color is purple and her hobbies include fishing, gardening, and family time.

Ms. Bryant by Sierra Maddox

Ms. Bryant was born in Colorado. She was a principal and computer science teacher in Eldorado, and she was a nurse prior to teaching. She’s been teaching for 15 years and is now the new high school math teacher! Ms. Bryant’s hobbies include fishing and gardening. Her favorite color is yellow, although, she claims that she bleeds Bronco’s orange.

Mrs. Brown by Sierra Maddox

Mrs. Brown is a new middle school and high school math teacher. She is a first year teacher, but she did her student teaching at Clinton. Mrs. Brown’s favorite color is green and her hobbies include: playing guitar, hanging out with friends and family, and watching movies.

Mrs. Hartman by Jaquelin Olivas

Mrs. Hartman is a new teachers aid, and she is helping with the Pre-K class. She is originally from Portland, Oregon but moved to Elk City for her family. Her hobbies include camping, reading, and watching movies. Her favorite color is red.

New Staff

Mrs. Cloud by Sierra Maddox

Mrs. Cloud is our new 4th grade reading teacher. She grew up in Weatherford but you may know her, because before she taught at Merritt, she owned Rainbow Lane Preschool. Her favorite color is red and her hobbies include showing goats and going to church.

Mrs. Burson By Sierra Maddox

Mrs. Burson is our new 3rd grade teacher. She is originally from Crowder, Oklahoma where she taught 2nd grade. Her hobbies are reading and sports, and pretty much anything OU. Her favorite color is yellow.

Savannah Stoneking

By Jaquelin Olivas

Savannah Stoneking is our newest aid. Before she started working with us at Merritt, she was a server at Texas Road House. She lives in Carter with her fiancè, who she is marrying in May, and her 4 dogs. Her hobbies are hanging out with family and traveling. Her favorite color is blue.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please contact Merritt Big Rig staff by e-mail at merrittbigrig@aol.com

MPTO meeting Oct. 6 at 3:30

Bake Sales: Elementary

Oct. 8-9Nov. 19-20Dec. 3-4Jan. 14-15

Feb. 25 Mar. 24-25

Apr. 21-22High School

Oct. 1-2 Nov. 5-6 Dec. 1-2 Jan 12-13 Feb. 23-24 Mar. 22-23 Apr. 19-20

September Students of the

Month 7th - Corbin Price

8th - Lexus Criswell

9th - Daylen Smith

10th - Cadlyn Smith

11th - Ashlee Carr

12th - Logan Thetford